Below is a live chat that will pull in location update tweets from NASA hashtags for the flyover, which is scheduled to occur between 9 and 10:30 a.m. this morning in Houston. Join the chat to find out where Endeavour is. After you’ve seen the shuttle, be sure and leave a comment about where, and how it looked.

Obama did nothing on this. We did it. We failed to take care of the Saturn V. We failed to develop a facility that people would want to visit. We failed to put together a compelling proposal. We screwed up.

And now most of us would rather sit around and complain about imagined slights instead of working to improve our city so that the next time that there is a chance to get something this good, we are the only logical choice.

There doesn’t seem to be a best place for this sort of things. While a lot of people will get to see them in the places they picked, it also shuts out a lot. I visualize a lot of small town USA people being rather intimidated at going into the biggest traffic jams in the world to see these things.

I agree with JohnD, regretfully. Just look how we’ve been taking care of the Battleship Texas. We refuse to spend the funds to preserve it, so it falls further into disrepair and will probably eventually be buried at sea. No sense in letting the space shuttle meet a similar fate.

Not true John. It’s a nice story but it’s simply not the truth. You see NASA was ready, willing, and planning to give Houston a shuttle. In fact it was being chiseled in stone when politicians stepped in and stopped it. They came in with a new list of sites (places that weren’t even being considered by NASA) and a new system for NASA to use. The Chairman of the NASA committee responsible for this decision admitted as much. Houston was not the only site that got cheated. The National Museum of the United States Air Force also were awarded one only to be taken off the list by this administration.

They even went as far as creating a new scoring system to establish which sites hold more value… Do you want to know what the major reason they gave why Houston scored too low to get one? It wasn’t attendance… it wasn’t “upkeep issues” as you suggested… The major reason Houston dropped in the scoring with their new invented scoring system was because they deemed there was a significant risk in transporting an orbiter there. Houston was the only site to get this detractor… Without this detractor and other admitted errors in the scoring system, Houston would have been awarded one of the shuttles. Even with the attendance issues. But not once was Houston ever given a detractor based on the issues you invented. Not once in the process was it mentioned that Houston could not afford the upkeep of the shuttle or that it couldn’t take care of it.

You see NASA was ready, willing, and planning to give Houston a shuttle.

No, they weren’t. Read the IG report. What happened was a subteam that had no right to award the orbiters had made some preliminary recommendations that were then superseded by the actions of the US Congress.

They came in with a new list of sites (places that weren’t even being considered by NASA) and a new system for NASA to use.

Again, read the IG report. The places that were on the list were the places that put themselves on the list.

Do you want to know what the major reason they gave why Houston scored too low to get one? It wasn’t attendance… it wasn’t “upkeep issues” as you suggested… The major reason Houston dropped in the scoring with their new invented scoring system was because they deemed there was a significant risk in transporting an orbiter there.

Check again. See page 9 of the report. JSC, the CSC, Tulsa, the Adler, and the USSRC all got exactly the same score for transportation risk. Where we lost out to the CSC is in “International visitors” and “American Association of Museums of Smithsonian Affiliate”. You can argue the first shouldn’t have been included, but the second is our own fault. It isn’t that hard to join either of those groups.

But not once was Houston ever given a detractor based on the issues you invented. Not once in the process was it mentioned that Houston could not afford the upkeep of the shuttle or that it couldn’t take care of it.

Why oh why is it going to California? They are going to place the Endeavour in a field where they cut down 400 trees? Why can’t the Endeavour be in Houston? It is an insult to place it where it will get no appreciation. very sad.. My father was one of three American pilots who died in training on the U-2 in Paradise Ranch in 1956. His goal was to be one of the first astronauts in space when the training ended.. Such a sad story for the Endeavour

It is going to the California Science Museum because:
1) They have more visitors (1,400,000 each year) than Space Center Houston does (580,000 each year)
2) They worked harder to earn it. The California Science Center raised $200 million to house the orbiter – even before they knew they were going to win one. Space Center Houston raised $0 – even though we were certain that we were going to get one.
3) They had more local support. Houston’s mayor waited until nearly the end of the process to voice her support and she was one of the “proactive” ones. Los Angeles’ mayor was involved in the CSC campaign from the start.
4) They take better care of their toys than we do. Go visit the Saturn V if you doubt this.
5) The orbiters were designed and assembled in Palmdale, CA, which is closer to the California Science Center than the Houston Space Center is to Houston.

California has that many visitors because they are a tourist destination. They don’t need extra items to help that status. Houston DOES need more items and places to visit since it is a business city and not a typical tourist destination.

Also, NASA is based out of Houston until Obama redistributes the space program completely to Florida to win Electoral College Votes. Therefore it is justified in feeling that a real shuttle should be based here, versus a trainer (which could go to Cali based on Lee Rutter’s argument; also Lee, Saturn V’s were partially made in Miss., but you don’t see anyone arguing to put one there).

The Saturn V is now indoors and fully restored. Next.

Houston has the ability to fund-raise if needed, but I suspect there was already money in Space Center Houston’s budget to house the Shuttle in expectation.

It is clear that this was purely political and another tool to reward Obama’s base–even though LBJ was THE democrat that ushered in civil rights and even though helping space center Houston might help long term in making Texas purple.

JohnD says:
September 19, 2012 at 8:32 am
Why oh why is it going to California?

It is going to the California Science Museum because:
1) They have more visitors (1,400,000 each year) than Space Center Houston does (580,000 each year)
2) They worked harder to earn it. The California Science Center raised $200 million to house the orbiter – even before they knew they were going to win one. Space Center Houston raised $0 – even though we were certain that we were going to get one.
3) They had more local support. Houston’s mayor waited until nearly the end of the process to voice her support and she was one of the “proactive” ones. Los Angeles’ mayor was involved in the CSC campaign from the start.
4) They take better care of their toys than we do. Go visit the Saturn V if you doubt this.
5) The orbiters were designed and assembled in Palmdale, CA, which is closer to the California Science Center than the Houston Space Center is to Houston.

California has that many visitors because they are a tourist destination.

Please remember that Congress insisted that the orbiters go to places with high tourism, not places that need help to get high tourism.

Also, NASA is based out of Houston

No. It isn’t. Manned spaceflight is based in Houston. But launching is based in Florida (Kennedy Space Center), robotic exploration is based in California (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), space-based astronomy is based in Maryland (Goddard Space Flight Center), and engine testing is based in Mississippi (Stennis Space Center). NASA is far greater than just manned spaceflight.

until Obama redistributes the space program completely to Florida to win Electoral College Votes

Keep saying that if it helps you feel better. But it has no bearing on reality. Consider this: Ohio is a swing state that Obama needs to win the election. If he really were involved with the orbiter placement and really were playing politics with it, then he would have sent one to Ohio (which put in a very good proposal) instead of to New York or California (states that he is almost certain to carry).

Therefore it is justified in feeling that a real shuttle should be based here

Do me a favor, OK? Find a picture of a real shuttle being based in Houston (not doing a fly-over stop). When you do, then you can tell me about how the shuttles were based here.

Saturn V’s were partially made in Miss., but you don’t see anyone arguing to put one there

“Also, NASA is based out of Houston until Obama redistributes the space program completely to Florida to win Electoral College Votes.”

Wow, so Obama is going to do this all in less than 3 months just to get votes? Our track record in maintaining the USS Texas makes me glad we weren’t awarded a shuttle, and instead, it goes somewhere that’s going to actually maintain and properly showcase the object.

No, Democrats like to create wealth. For evidence of that, look at the growth in the Dow Jones under Bush43 (-705 {6.7%} during his tenure) and under Obama (+5309 {64%} during his tenure). Or that of Clinton (+6334 {194%}) and Bush41 (+1386 {62%}).

Teaching isn’t just done in the classroom. People aren’t missing work and children aren’t missing school for something trivial, this is an important event for our city and our country. It’s not every day that a shuttle lands in “people’s backyard”.

Shuttle just passed Greenspoint. I got a look, but I am a couple miles north of the Beltway, so it was hazy and distant. Wouldn’t have wanted to miss it, though! I grew up with the shuttles, and am sad to see them go into retirement, especially without a real replacement.

It flew past my office in Bellaire on the West Loop five or six minutes ago. It looked like the pilot was trying to give Houston one good last look. I saw the plane, with shuttle piggyback, turn east far enough away that I’ll bet he was at the North Loop. I enjoyed that. Thanks to everyone
responsible.

Did we not have all this out pouring of tribulation when Houston was ‘snubbed’ after the decisions were made? Remember how ‘livid’ your elected Representatives and Senators were? Remember that the US House Committee on Science, Space and Technology has such notable members as Chairman Ralph Hall, Lamar Smith, Michael McCaul, Randy Neugebauer on the Republican side and the lone Texas Democrat Eddie Johnson for the Democrats? Remember US Representative Pete Olson who’s district Johnson Space Center is in? Remember how upset Senator Hutchison was even though she is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Science and Transportation? Where were they when this was being discussed prior to the decision making? Save your hand wringing. They didn’t feel they needed to ‘dirty’ their hands. Or did they just think Houston was entitled?

WOW, incredible! It flew right over my head! It was fast and loud, all I can say is WOW. Though we all focused on the 747 and the Shuttle, did anyone see the fighter escorting it?
Can’t wait to see it later today at Ellington!

Wow! The Shuttle flew right over me just a little while ago. It was so low that I could actually hear the plane’s engines. This is actually the third time I have seen the Shuttle flying piggyback over Houston. The first time, I was sitting in class at U of H taking an exam and glanced out of the window to catch it flying by. And the next time while driving to work down Richmond Avenue. But today’s glimps was by far the most awesome…….maybe because I know it will be the last time.

OK, folks, I can see where California gets one, but New York? The only reason I can see NY getting a shuttle is pure politics. Last I checked, NASA did not have a big presence in the Northeast. NY Senator Chuckie Schumer admitted as much while laughing at us when the decision was made.

You need to check again. Grumman Aerospace is located in new York and built the Lunar Excursion Modules (or Apollo Lunar Modules if you prefer your tech-speak modern) along with the tail assembly, control structures, and hydrazine tanks for the shuttles.

saw it right out of my window in the TMC. it flew really close to our window. I s think it BLOWS that it’s going to California. when NASA had problems, what was the first thing thsy said? was it Cali, we have a problem? not. IT WAS HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM and HOUSTON, THE EAGLE HAS LANDED!

The thing is – Two of the shuttles will be a roughly 240 miles of each other. Three shuttles on the east coast, one on the west coast. The red states can do without. But hey, at least NASA’s priority is now Muslim outreach per Charles Bolden.